Improvement in wool-presses



' q f 2 sheets-shawl. 'W; T. WILLIS &. O; S. FUNKHOU'SER.

Wool-Press.

No. 222,110. Patented Nov. 25, 187.9.

. v 2Sheets-Sheet 2, V W. T. WILLIS & O. SmPUNKI-IOUSERV -Wool-Press.

No. 222,110. Patented Nov. 25,1879.

N. FEI'ERS. Puo'rmL flosmPusn, WASHINGTON. D G,

UNI D STATES- PATENT QIFFIQE"...

WILLIAM T. WILLIS AND CHARLES S. FUNKHOUSER, 0F PLATTSBURG, MO.

I l MP'RO'V EMFE NT I N1 w-ooL- P R ES'S'E'S.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 222,110, dated November 25, 1879 application filed September 26, 1879.

in the county of Clinton and State of Mis-.

souri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in ool-Presses; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full,

clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same,"

reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specificatio n.

Figure l is a perspective view. Fig. 2 is a top view. Fig. 3 is an end "iew, and Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view.

Corresponding parts in the several figures are denoted by like letters of reference.

This invention relates to wool-presses; and it consists in certain improvements in the construetion of the same, which will be hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claim.

The pressbox, whichis represented in the drawings by the letter A, consists of the bottom B, to the edges of which are hinged the sides 0 O.

D represents the front of the box, which is provided on top with latches E for securing the sides in position when raised. The front also providedwvith aseries of spring-clasps, I

The press-boxis supported upon cross-pieces G G, resting upon uprights H H, the said crosspieces being of sufficient width to support the sides 0 (J when turned down.

Between the front legs or uprights is journaled a cylindrical shaft, I, having a hook, a, and provided at one end with a pinion, J, en-

, gaging a gear-wheel, K, operated by a lever or handle, L. The latter is provided at its outer end with a catch, M, adapted to engage one of a series of ratchets, N, secured upon one of the rear uprights or supports of the machine.

Upon the bottom of the press-box is'fitted a wide belt, 0, of leather or other suitable strong and flexible material. Said belt is secured near the front end of the box in any suitable manner, and the bottom of the box is, in front of the belt, provided with a transverse slot, 1?, of sufficient width to permit the belt to pass through.

The rear end of the belt is free, and is provided with a stiffening bar or plate, Q, having a bail or handle, R, and the belt is pro vided with a series of longitudinal slits, S, equal in number to, and registering with, the spring-clasps F F upon'the front of the pressbox. 1

Under the front ends of the slits S the bot tom of the press-box is provided with perforations T T. i

In operation, the cords with which the bale is to be tied are first passed up through the perforations T T and slits S S, and their ends are then attached to the elasps F F. \Vhile the sides of the press-box are let down, the

fleece is placed upon the bottom of the box and folded to the width of the belt. The sides are then raised and secured by the latches E; next, the ends of the cords are detached from the spring-clasps, passed over the fleece, and through the respective slits S S in the belt. The free end of the latter is then raised, passed over the fleece, and down through the slot P in the bottom of the box. The bail R is then adjusted upon the hook i of cylinder I, which latter is now turned by the lever L, thus winding the belt upon it and pressing the bale. WVhen the bale has been pressed to the desired compactness the end of the lever is adjusted under one of the ratchets N, thereby securing it in position while the bale is being tied. Thelever is then released, thebelt drawn back, and the bale removed from the box.

It will be observed that the sides of the box, which are raised while the bale is being pressed, prevent the ends of the bale from bulging out.

By our improved press, which is simple,

cheap, and durable, it is therefore possible to press wool into the smallest possible space.

Having thus described our invention, we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States- As an improvement in wool-presses, the combination of the box A, having hinged sides .0

G,front D, provided with latches E and springour own we have hereto affixed our signatures clasps F, slot I, perforations 'I. T, belt 0, havin presence of two Witnesses. ing slits S S, stiffening-bar Q, bail or handle R, supports GH, shaft or roller 1, having hook WILLIAM T. WILLIS. z and pinion J gear-wheel K, having lever L, CHAS. S. FUNKHOUSER. provided with catch M, and the ratchets N, all arranged and operating substantially as Witnesses: and for the purpose set forth. MORGAN FUNKHoUsER, In testimony that we claim the foregoing as W. 'l. FUNKHOUSER. 

